The Details

The modern coin era began in America in 1965, the first year the U.S. Mint produced copper-nickel "clad" coins as replacement for silver coins, ending an unbroken, 173 year tradition. For many collectors, this was the death-knell for collecting, as the coins would no longer have any intrinsic value and mintages would be huge. Collectors perceived the modern coinage as a vast desert of ultra-common, mundane, unattractive and boring coins. So without further adieu, here is the TOP 100 MODERN COINS:

RANK

IMAGE

DESCRIPTION

MINTAGE

KNOWN

DETAILS

1

1964-D Peace $1, MS

316,076

0

Most controversial and one of most famous of all modern issues.

Rumors of its existence abound.

2

1975 No S Roosevelt Dime, PR

NA

2

Only two known.

Famous as part of "No S" proof set types.

Recent auction record of $350,000 in a highly publicized auction.

3

1974 Aluminum Lincoln Cent, MS

1,570,000

1

Only one known.

Potentially illegal to own.

4

1976 No S Eisenhower Dollar, Type 2, PR

NA

1

One of a kind. Never meant to be distributed.

Found in a department store in 1977.

5

2000-W 22kt Gold Sacagawea Dollar, PR

39

12

Approximately a dozen known.

All flew into outer space on the space shuttle.

Now housed in Fort Knox.

6

2000 Sacagawea/Quarter Dollar Mule, MS

NA

11

Approximately 11 known, most owned by one man.

Created a frenzy when discovered because of the improbability of mating different denominations.

7

1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Cent, MS

NA

35

About three dozen known.

Nice doubling and great rarity makes this a very desirable coin.

8

1968 No S Roosevelt Dime, PR

NA

12

About 12 known. Part of a select group of modern Proof coins that lack the mintmark.

9

1990 No S Lincoln Cent, PR

NA

300

Only No S Proof in the Lincoln cent series.

Super-scarce production error. Check your Proof Sets.

10

2000-P “Cheerios” Sacagawea Dollar, SP

*5,500

200

Very popular.

Distributed in boxes of Cheerios cereal.

Turned out to be the same rare prototypes as the 22kt gold Sacagaweas (see Coin #5).

11

1992 1C Close AM, MS

NA

10

Has a modified reverse design intended for the next year, but utilized early.

12

1992-D 1C Close AM, MS

NA

*20 Known

Same as Coin #11, distributed prematurely.

13

1995-W $1 Silver Eagle, PR

30,125

30,125

Most popular of the Proof Silver Eagles because of its low mintage.

First Silver Eagle to bear the W (West Point) Mintmark.

14

2007-W $100 Statue of Liberty, Frosted FREEDOM, PR

12

1

Fantastically rare variation that was never intended for release.

Currently unique, and may remain so.

15

2007-W $50 Statue of Liberty, Frosted FREEDOM, PR

21

1

Fantastically rare variation that was never intended for release.

Currently unique, and may remain so.

16

2007-W $25 Statue of Liberty, Frosted FREEDOM, PR

21

1

Fantastically rare variation that was never intended for release.

Currently unique, and may remain so.

17

1972 1C Doubled Die Obverse, MS

NA

10,000

Popular because of the obvious doubling and the relatively low cost.

18

2004-D 25C Wisconsin, Extra Leaf High, MS

*15,000

15,000

First major variety in the 50 States Washington Quarter series.

19

2004-D 25C Wisconsin, Extra Leaf Low, MS

*20,000

20,000

First major variety in the 50 States Washington Quarter series.

20

1972 $1 Type 2, MS

NA

50,000

Scarcest of the three varieties of 1972.

Shows a modified reverse with a round earth and indistinct islands off Florida.

21

1971 5C No S, PR

*1655

500

Popular S-less Proof coin, accidentally shipped and used without the mintmark.

Found only in Proof sets.

22

1970 10C No S, PR

*2200

750

Popular S-less Proof coin, accidentally shipped and used without the mintmark.

Found only in Proof sets.

23

1983 10C No S, PR

*2500?

1000

Popular S-less Proof coin, accidentally shipped and used without the mintmark.

Found only in Proof sets.

24

1997-W $5 Jackie Robinson, MS

5,174

5,174

Unpopular with collectors when issued, now a favorite because of its low mintage.

25

2008-W $1 Eagle, Reverse of 2007, MS

40,000*

40,000

Only major variety in the Silver Eagle series.

26

2000-W $10 Library of Congress, MS

7,261

7,261

The only gold and platinum bimetalic coin struck by the U.S. Mint

27

1964 50C Special Mint Set Finish, SP

NA

*20-40 Known

Rare prototype issue, supposedly to test the Special Mint Set finish intended for use in 1965.

Only two to three dozen known.

28

1964 25C Special Mint Set Finish, SP

NA

*20-40 Known

Rare prototype issue, supposedly to test the Special Mint Set finish intended for use in 1965.

Only two to three dozen known.

29

1964 5C Special Mint Set Finish, SP

NA

*20-40 Known

Rare prototype issue, supposedly to test the Special Mint Set finish intended for use in 1965.

Only two to three dozen known.

30

1964 1C Special Mint Set Finish, SP

NA

*20-40 Known

Rare prototype issue, supposedly to test the Special Mint Set finish intended for use in 1965.

Only two to three dozen known.

31

1964 10C Special Mint Set Finish, SP

NA

*20-40 Known

Rare prototype issue, supposedly to test the Special Mint Set finish intended for use in 1965.

Only two to three dozen known.

32

2009 $20 Ultra High Relief, MS

115,178

75,000

Resurrection of a rare pattern design used in 1907.

Struck on very thick, special planchets.

Each coin requires multiple strikes.

33

2000-P SAC$1 Goodacre Presentation, SP

5000

5,000

Given as payment to the designer.

Each coin was specially burnished, making them different from all the rest.

34

(2007) $1 George Washington, Missing Edge Lettering, MS

40000-500000

100,000

Oops, these coins skipped the step where the lettering and date were added to the edge of the coin.

35

1964 50C Accented Hair, PR

*100,000

10,000

Original design for the Kennedy Half Dollar, but modified later at the request of Mrs. Kennedy.

36

1984 1C Doubled Die Obverse, MS

NA

5,000

Popular major variety with doubled ear lobe and chin hair.

37

1983 1C Doubled Die Reverse, MS

NA

5,000

Nice doubling on most of the lettering on the reverse.

38

1999-W $10 Eagle, Unfinished Proof Dies, MS

*5000

5,000

Only major varieties in the Gold Eagle series.

39

1999-W $5 Eagle, Unfinished Proof Dies, MS

*5000

5,000

Only major varieties in the Gold Eagle series.

40

1995 1C Doubled Die Obverse, MS

NA

40,000

Popular, modern Doubled Die Obverse, most visible at LIBERTY.

41

2008-W $50 Statue of Liberty, MS

2,253

2,253

Lowest mintage, non-error modern coin.

42

2006-W $50 Eagle, 20th Anniversary Reverse Proof, PR

9,996

9,996

First Gold eagle struck with a Reverse Proof format.

43

2011-P $1 Silver Eagle, 25th Anniversary Reverse Proof, PR

100,000

100,000

Special issue only sold in 2011 Special Silver Eagle Sets.

44

2006-P $1 Eagle, 20th Anniversary Reverse Proof, PR

250,000

250,000

Special issue only sold in 2006 Silver Eagle Sets.

45

1982 10C No Mintmark – Strong, MS

15,000

15,000

Released by mistake without the mintmark.

Most were found in the Ohio area.

46

2001-W $5 Capitol Visitor Center, MS

6,761

6,761

Low-mintage, popular gold commemorative.

47

1996-W $5 Flag Bearer, MS

9,174

9,174

Low-mintage, popular gold commemorative.

48

1996-W $5 Smithsonian Institution 150th Anniversary, MS

9,068

9,068

Low-mintage, popular gold commemorative.

49

1996-W $5 Olympic Cauldron, MS

9,210

9,210

Low-mintage, popular gold commemorative.

50

1974-D 50C Doubled Die Obverse, MS

NA

10,000

Subtle doubling, but enough to make it popular with collectors.

51

2008-W $10 Gold Eagle, MS

8,883

8,883

Low mintage for the series

52

2008-W $50 American Buffalo, .9999 Fine Gold , MS

9,074

9,074

Low mintage for the series

53

2008-W $10 American Buffalo, .9999 Fine Gold, MS

9,949

9,949

Low mintage for the series

54

2009-W $10 Letitia Tyler, MS

3,152

3,152

Low mintage for the series

55

2008-W $25 American Buffalo, .9999 Fine Gold, PR

11,169

11,169

Low mintage for the series

56

1970-S 1C Large Date, Doubled Die Obverse, MS

NA

*50

Lots of nice doubling on this scarce and popular variety.

57

2008-W $25 Statue of Liberty, MS

2,481

2,481

Low-mintage platinum issue.

58

2006-W $50 Statue of Liberty, MS

2,577

2,577

Low-mintage platinum issue.

59

2006-W $25 Statue of Liberty, MS

2,676

2,676

Low-mintage platinum issue.

60

2006-W $100 Statue of Liberty, MS

3,068

3,068

Low-mintage platinum issue.

61

2006-W $10 Statue of Liberty, MS

3,544

3,544

Low-mintage platinum issue.

62

2007-W $50 Statue of Liberty, MS

3,635

3,635

Low-mintage platinum issue.

63

2007-W $25 Statue of Liberty, MS

3,690

3,690

Low-mintage platinum issue.

64

2008-W $10 Statue of Liberty, MS

3,706

3,706

Low-mintage platinum issue.

65

2011-S $1 Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set, MS

100,000

100,000

First S mintmark Mint State Silver Eagle

66

2011-W $10 Lucretia Garfield, MS

2,250

2,250

Among the lowest mintage First Spouse coins.

67

2011-W $10 Lucy Hayes, MS

2,250

2,250

Among the lowest mintage First Spouse coins.

68

2008-W $10 Martin Van Buren's Liberty, MS

4,334

4,334

The low mintage makes this a very popular coin.

69

2008-W $10 Andrew Jackson's Liberty, MS

4,754

4,754

The low mintage makes this a very popular coin.

70

2009-W $10 Julia Tyler, MS

2,861

2,861

A super value in an underappreciated series.

71

2010-W $10 James Buchanan's Liberty, MS

7,304

7,304

Popular Liberty Head design from the 1838-1908 era.

72

1970-D 50C, MS

2,150,000

2,150,000

Key date for the 40% clad halves. Available only in Mint Sets.

73

1995-W $5 Olympic Stadium, MS

10,579

10,579

Low-mintage gold commemorative.

74

1997-W $5 Franklin Delano Roosevelt, MS

11,900

11,900

Low-mintage gold commemorative.

75

1995-W $5 Civil War Battlefields, MS

12,700

12,700

Low-mintage gold commemorative.

76

1996-D $1 Paralympic Games, MS

15,325

15,325

Low-mintage silver commemorative.

77

1996-D $1 Olympic Tennis, MS

15,983

15,983

Low-mintage silver commemorative.

78

1996-D $1 Olympic High Jump, MS

16,485

16,485

Low-mintage silver commemorative.

79

1996-D $1 Olympic Rowing, MS

16,693

16,693

Low-mintage silver commemorative.

80

1998-S 1C Close AM, PR

NA

*1,000

Struck using a reverse die intended for Mint State coins.

81

1999 1C Wide AM, MS

NA

*2,500

Struck using a reverse die intended for Proofs

82

1999-S 1C Close AM, PR

NA

*3,500

Struck using a reverse die intended for Mint State coins.

83

1981-S SBA$1 Type 2, PR

NA

50,000

Scarcer variety with a clear mintmark.

84

2001-D $1 Buffalo, MS

227,131

227,131

Popular design that resurrected designs from the Buffalo Nickel.

85

1997-P 5C Special Mint Set Finish, SP

25,000

25,000

A special Nickel with unusual surfaces. Sold as part of the 1997 U.S. Botanic Garden commemorative sets.

86

1998-S 50C Special Mint Set Finish, SP

63,500

63,500

Special, matte finish Half Dollar.

Sold as part of the 1998 Robert F. Kennedy Half Dollar commemorative sets.

87

1970-S 1C Small Date, MS

NA

40,000,000

Scarcer of the Small Date and Large Date varieties.

88

1996-W 10C, MS

1,457,000

1,457,000

Semi-key date. Available only in Mint Sets.

89

2009-W $10 Margaret Taylor, MS

3,430

3,430

Impressive, low-mintage First Spouse coin.

90

2005-D 5C Speared Bison, MS

NA

5,000

Unusual error that shows a spike running almost vertically through the bison.